BBC Strictly announces first celebrity for 2025 lineup as Gladiators star confirmed
The BBC has confirmed the first celebrity in the Strictly Come Dancing line up of 2025. Olympic champion and Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey will take to the famous dancefloor for the new series in the autumn.
The news was first revealed on Newsround this morning (Monday).
Harry appeared in the CBBC studio where he was dressed up as world-famous "choreographer" called Nicky Trott, who was said to be there to talk about a new scientific study about the benefits to health brought by dancing.
Presenter Jenny Lawrence quickly realised it was a prank and who she was really talking to, and Harry revealed the real reason he was there - to announce his Strictly stint.
Sprinter Harry, who took part in last year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special with Nancy Xu, said: "After the Christmas Special, it was so nice I just had to do it twice!
"I'm so excited to be part of the Strictly family this series and I'm ready to give it all I've got.
"I'll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let's hope I'm as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track."
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